The Philippine Men’s 4x400m relay team officially ignited their season with a commanding gold-medal performance at the Singapore Open Track & Field Championships. 

Clocking in at 3:11.25, the powerhouse composed of Frederick Ramirez, Alfred Talplacido, Ahlryan Labita, and Michael Del Prado displayed mid-season form to outpace their closest rivals. 

The Filipinos held off a surging Malaysian squad (3:12.65) and a determined home team from Singapore (3:12.68) in a gritty sprint to the finish that solidified their standing as the region’s team to beat.

Adding a layer of prestige to the victory, the team was guided from the sidelines by legendary National Coach Isidro Del Prado. 

The win comes at a poetic moment for the program, as Del Prado was recently inducted into the 5th Philippine Sports Hall of Fame this year. 

With a Hall of Fame pedigree in their corner and an opening-day gold around their necks, the Philippine relay team has sent a clear message to the rest of Southeast Asia: the chase for greatness is well and truly on.

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